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ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 / News

Bangladesh v England, World Cup, Group B, Chittagong

Dew dampens England's spirits

Andrew Strauss pinpointed the evening dew in Chittagong as a factor that severely hampered England as they slipped to a two-wicket defeat but refused to blame his team's loss on the conditions. In the first half of Bangladesh's chase the dampness caused major problems, especially to Graeme Swann, and meant England had a lot of ground to claw back.

Although Strauss said that these were not win-toss-win-match conditions, he also believe it wasn't right that the spinner's role was effected so heavily. "Something [is] not quite right when a spinner can't grip the ball in these conditions, in these parts of the world, where spin plays such an important role."

As a result of the dew, England couldn't use Swann, the only spinner in the side, exactly the way they would have wanted to. "There was a 20-over period when it was very very bad," Strauss said. "Obviously Graeme couldn't grip the ball. That was hard work for us. It wasn't the reason we lost the game, I don't think, but certainly there was quite considerable dew there."

With the ball getting wet, Swann got into an argument with umpire Daryl Harper, who refused to have the ball changed as often as Swann wanted. Including the mandatory change at 34 overs, the ball was switched three times according to Strauss. Swann was later fined 10 percent of his match fee for violating the ICC's Code of Conduct. He was deemed to have breached article 2.1.4, which relates to "Using language or a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during an international match."

"Graeme was obviously very frustrated that he couldn't grip the ball," Strauss said. "He felt he had a big role to play in the game. For a period we had to take him off, until later on when he could grip it. It was frustrating for him, it was frustrating for all of us that the ball got as wet as it did. That happens, that's the conditions we encounter."

At one point the exhange Swann was threatening to boil over in his frustration and Strauss had to step in. "Graeme was asking to change the ball. I wasn't there, I don't know what was said between the two of them," Strauss said. "Once the exchange happened, I told Graeme to calm down and get on with it, and he did do so."

Strauss knew, though, that dew wasn't why England lost their second group match of a rollercoaster campaign. "Losing three wickets early certainly didn't help us," he said. "It was a pretty low, slow, stodgy wicket this afternoon. We needed wickets in hand to get to 240-250, which would have been a very good score.

"As it was, Eoin Morgan played exceptionally well I thought, and obviously Jonathan Trott stuck in there. We thought it was a par score, we thought we could defend it, and we got ourselves into a great performance to defend it. In the end we weren't able to take those last two wickets, which is desperately disappointing for us."

However, Strauss did make a pertinent observation about the dew. "One thing I would say is, it feels slightly strange to have the first ever day-nighter at a certain ground in a World Cup. So perhaps a lesson to be learned there." That obviously hasn't been a consideration in the tournament: the teams in Group A are playing at venues in Sri Lanka that are hosting their first matches, day-night or otherwise.

Trott may be scoring runs but his strike rate is so poor that the pressure on the middle order is too proving to be too much. If they continue to pick Trott he has to open with Bopara batting at three.

Posted by &nbsp
on (March 13, 2011, 14:26 GMT)

this is to Ammz এমদ।দ Hussain regarding your rather inane comment. You stated England don't have the skill to win a proper cricket game unless its played in England. Does that include the Ashes which were played in Australia just a few months ago? Conversely we could state that Bangladesh can't win any "proper cricket" matches unless its played in Bangladesh which to be honest is a very appropriate comment considering their record.

Posted by AusieBangaleeShameem
on (March 13, 2011, 6:28 GMT)

Poor tradesman always blames his tools --- nothing new! How did they get 8 BD wkts? Particularly the crucial one of Shakib? Lame excuses of the defeat. Swann should blame his Captain for his incorrect call during toss.

Posted by graceful_187
on (March 13, 2011, 5:54 GMT)

Not a good excuse...anyway, they picked up 8 wickets! But lost to Shafiul and Mahmudullah

Posted by &nbsp
on (March 13, 2011, 2:22 GMT)

When England were ripping through bangladesh middle order batting, none of the English compalined about the dew then. It was only when Saquib and Imrul were set and looking dangerous that Swann was whining like a baby about the ball. And then after they lost, they are harping about it again.

Strauss himself acknowledged after coin toss that dew would be a issue. Why didn't he show his protest then? because he thought Bangladesh would be a easy pass for them... This is cricket. DON'T EVER GET COMPLACENT.

And if England won the toss, would Strauss not take advantage of the same dew and send Bangladesh to Bat first????

Posted by shaz101
on (March 13, 2011, 0:37 GMT)

ICC and match referee, shame on you, an abuse of an umpire or gesture not allowed in international cricket and getting only 10% fine.... what the Fu*K is wrong with you... I bet if it was a Pakistani player, he would have been suspended for a game or two... be consistent and give it a fair go to everyone... we're talking no discrimination policy but have that sh*t still in place. Eng you deserve every humiliation you get and deserve to be knocked out of the tournament.

Posted by &nbsp
on (March 12, 2011, 22:46 GMT)

Strauss u sad sad loser.. please stop being pathetic

Posted by &nbsp
on (March 12, 2011, 22:43 GMT)

Strauss grow up
and stop making excuses for your pathetic losing team

you have no balls or passion or skill to a win a proper cricket game unless its played in england!

Posted by Rakesh_Sharma
on (March 12, 2011, 22:30 GMT)

Actually ,what is the idea of holdinf Day/night game in Indian subcontinent where getting crowd is not a problem. This is when there is shortage of power. All in all cricket is more pleasing in bright daylight. I find even on Sunday/saturday/holiday they keep D/n matches strange ,strange.

Posted by Odie15
on (March 12, 2011, 22:23 GMT)

Yeah I agree whingers.......Swann is one of the biggest with Braod! But hey I still hear your comments from last weeks game."THINGS WERE'NT AS EASY AS I MADE IT LOOK OUT THERE" Schmuck when it goes the other way you just a unsporting English player who thinks that England is CRICKET! News flash enjoy the finals from the living room sofa........ball is wet, ball is old.........Oh the ball is on the boundry AGAIN!